SO WHERE ARE THEY NOW? At least four of the eight former Cougar footballers whose academic woes contributed most severely to the scholarship penalty the NCAA recently handed down on Washington State are still pursuing their athletic careers.

WASHINGTON STATE SPORTS INFORMATION said Thursday evening University officials have confirmed that three members of the Cougar football team last fall have rendered themselves academically ineligible, per NCAA and WSU requirements.

ROMEEN ABDOLLMOHAMMADI has earned the starting kicking job, Bill Doba said Tuesday. Also, punter Darryl Blunt, who missed the UCLA win with an irregular heartbeat, is good to go this week. Junior Loren Langley, the starting kicker the past three seasons, is likely out this week with a quad strain but Doba said Abdollmohammadi would have been the new starter this week regardless.

WASHINGTON STATE, already hobbled with injuries, added more names to the wounded list after the UCLA game. However, only one of those players -- defensive back Courtney Williams -- is listed as out indefinitely on WSU's medical report released Monday evening.

PULLMAN -- The campus atmosphere around WSU has been all fun and games in anticipation of the weekend's Homecoming face-off. But the Cougars were were all business during practice Thursday -- and notably so on special teams. The green sleeved helmets signifying special teamers were seemingly everywhere, reflecting the day's sunlight as the units look to bounce back in Saturday's battle with Cal.

PULLMAN -- Tuesday's practice was a wet one out on the Palouse but it was nothing but bright sunshine for defensive coordinator Robb Akey, who welcomed key defensemen back to the crimson fold. O-line coach George Yarno discusses the injury situation up front, who has stepped up of late plus shed some light on the anticipated return of another offensive line starter to the practice field.

BILL DOBA had good news for the Cougar Faithful Thursday saying Scott Davis, who strained an Achilles earlier this week, will play Saturday, and starting RG Andy Roof, out since fall camp with a broken thumb, should be back in action a week from Saturday vs. Stanford. Meanwhile, more injury updates, recruiting a big part of the Seattle game trek plus Doba lists two keys for a "W" against Baylor.